A former Hawkins County prosecutor alleged to have offered female defendants leniency in exchange for sex has applied for pretrial diversion, his attorney said.

Doug Godbee, 58, charged with official misconduct, appeared before Jefferson County Criminal Court Judge Duane Slone on Monday with his attorney, Paul Whetstone, who submitted the application.

Slone is giving the prosecution 30 days to respond to the request, Whetstone said. The judge will make the final decision.

The pretrial diversion program allows some first-time lawbreakers to avoid a trial and go on probation. If Slone approves the request, Godbee could avoid jail time and preserve a clean record if he stays out of trouble while on probation.